A BiL Holiday Playlist grows

Three reader entries for a Sunday morning for a growing Based in Lafayette Holiday/Seasonal Playlist. Plus, about that Old Oaken Bucket beatdown.

Dave Bangert

Dec 01, 2024

Support for today’s edition comes from Purdue Convocations, offering 25% all shows for Black Friday weekend. Give the gift of live performance this holiday season! Save 25% on tickets to the biggest spring shows at Purdue, including The Mingus Big Band, Hadestown, Pretty Woman: The Musical, Chicago, and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at 300 by Les Arts Florissants. Valid through Dec. 1, 2024. Limit 6 discounted tickets per show. SHOP NOW

Sponsorship help for this edition also comes from Purdue Musical Organizations. The 91st Annual Purdue Christmas Show is the must-see event of the year! Gather your family and friends, and create lasting memories as you sing along to your favorite songs and marvel at the extraordinary Purdue student talent on display. Get tickets here.

A BiL HOLIDAY PLAYLIST THREE-FER

Let’s continue assembly of a Based in Lafayette Holiday/Seasonal Playlist with three entries on this Sunday.

Through Christmas (and maybe beyond), BiL will curate three songs a day from readers. The assignment isn’t necessarily about the best or most iconic songs of the season. Just songs that you’d want in the mix and why they belong. Enjoy.

For the full playlist, as it grows, check the link at the bottom of today’s contributions. Starting with …

Bonyea Killebrew

Bonyea Killebrew is a composer and the keyboard/winds player and musical director for The Velocity District. He also plays in the Lafayette Citizens Band.

"Rocky Point Holiday," Ron Nelson (Recorded by the Dallas Wind Symphony) – Pretty advanced but nice holiday sounding piece. Ron Nelson wrote a lot of pieces like this. Great to listen to, tough to play, but super exciting. Gets a listen year-round but definitely a signifier of the season. If you want another, take a listen to his "Aspen Jubilee.”

"Sleigh Ride," Leroy Anderson – I mean, do I even need to explain this one? I pull this song from my instrumental playlists until Dec. 1. This song is a must play between Dec. 1 and the 25th.

"Silent Night," The Temptations – For lots of people, it isn't Christmas until this song plays. I can't really explain it, but when I hear "In my mind..." It's officially Christmas time.

Richard Fudge

Richard Fudge, a retired teacher, led the Friend of Bob Live Music Co-op for more than 25 years.

“The Last Month of the Year,” The Staple Singers – The Staple Singers sound sublime in this call-and-response celebration of December and the birth of Jesus. The three sisters’ gorgeous gospel tones, plus a jumping band led by Pops Staples on guitar, create a thrilling jubilee.

“Run Rudolph Run,” Chuck Berry – Written, I assume, to cash in cheekily on Christmas, Chuck does a genius job of telling the story of Rudolph in an urban, modern-day setting. As usual, Chuck’s lyrics conjure vivid pictures, and his guitar playing is the essence of rock ‘n’ roll. Hilarious!

“Merry Christmas From the Family,” Robert Earl Keen – As much a short story as it is a country song, this comic masterpiece tells of a family celebrating the holiday in its idiosyncratic ways. Sharp details reveal each family members’ ordinary/extraordinary quirks. Quite sentimental, a bit like a John Prine song but slightly raunchier. Keen’s dry delivery is pitch-perfect.

Bonus cut:

“Star of Wonder,” The Roches – An a cappella gem. The Roches’ voices mesh with such lush harmony that for me this song evokes the awe of seeing that star of wonder. Sort of!

Stacy Grove

Stacy Grove is a local Realtor. “Growing up in West Lafayette, I enjoyed singing in the Chamber Choir and in various musicals at Harrison High School, under the direction of Mr. Joseph Barnard. I also had the honor of singing Handel's Messiah with the Bach Chorale, under the direction of Mr. William Grey. I believe Christmas music is one of the most intense sensory pieces of the holiday season.”

"Hark The Herald/It Came Upon A Midnight Clear,” Bing Crosby – A classic, by one of the Crooners, with a church-like choir backdrop. I love this version, which reminds me of the powerhouse choir I grew up listening to at Covenant Presbyterian Church in West Lafayette.

Literally any song on the "A Charlie Brown Christmas" album, Vince Guaraldi Trio – I mean, those guys can drop a beat. There's no way you're not toe-tappin' to nearly every song. I love the whimsey.

"Mary, Did You Know?” Pentatonix – I can't think of one time I listened to this song and didn't get chills. Not only is it masterful musically speaking (the most insane a cappella arrangements!), but the story line is also one I grapple with. Did she know?

Your turn

What three songs are going into your holiday/seasonal playlist this year? If you’re game share, here’s all we need:

Three songs and the artists.
One or two sentences about why you chose each one – could be a memory or a short history or review about why that track belongs in your mix and why you’d recommend it to others.
A little bit about you to let readers know who’s making the picks.

Send to: davebangert1@gmail.com

Based in Lafayette Holiday/Seasonal Playlist: In progress

OTHER READS: THE END OF THE PURDUE SEASON EDITION

Can Ryan Walters survive a 1-11 season that ended with IU creaming Purdue, 66-0, Saturday in the Old Oaken Bucket game? Indianapolis Star reporter Nathan Baird: “(Purdue AD Mike) Bobinski and the rest of Purdue's athletic administration owes its fans real action.” Here’s his full look at a season that ended with an Oof: “Purdue's miserable present and history's lessons say Boilers must move on from Ryan Walters.”

Gold and Black’s Tom Dienhart started this way: “What’s the future of Ryan Walters? That was the biggest story surrounding tonight’s game. AD Mike Bobinski’s silence on the matter has been deafening. With Signing Day looming on Wednesday, a decision on Walters likely will come soon after tonight’s game. It has to. The fan base is enraged at the direction of the program. Why does Walters think he’s the man for the job?” Here’s more: “Ten observations: Purdue at No. 10 Indiana.”
From Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel: “Purdue needs a new football coach. Purdue needs a Curt Cignetti, is what the Boilermakers need, but Curt Cignetti coaches No. 10-ranked IU, and he’s not going anywhere. That’s terrible news for Purdue football, which has fallen so far behind the Hoosiers, the score Saturday night at snow-covered Memorial Stadium in Bloomington doesn't tell the whole story.” The rest: “Historic gap between IU and Purdue starts with Curt Cignetti vs. Ryan Walters.”
And if you can bear to look, Baird has this report card: “Purdue football grades vs. Indiana: Barf Bucket ends miserable season.”

AND FINALLY …: If you’ve been thinking about getting a full-access Based in Lafayette subscription, today’s the day. First-time subscribers get 20% off the first year in this one-day deal.

Thanks for support from Purdue Musical Organizations, presenting the 91st Annual Purdue Christmas Show, Dec. 7-8. Get tickets here.

Thanks also to sponsor Purdue Convocations, offering 25% all shows for Black Friday weekend. Get your tickets now.

Thank you for supporting Based in Lafayette, an independent, local reporting project. Free and full-ride subscription options are ready for you here.

Tips, story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com.

Based in Lafayette, Indiana

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